Today students pondered the characteristics, in their minds, of a utopian community, and then contrasted that with their vision of a dystopian society. This will be one of the underlying themes of our current novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry. As the setting unfolds in the exposition of the book, students will examine the unique features of this fictional world, from the geographical landscape and climate to the social structure and rituals of the people. They will also begin to analyze characters that emerge, and look at the ways in which setting defines character as well as plot events.
I've encouraged students to listen to the audio as they read along if this helps them, and Ms. Deal has linked it to her website. Students are filling in character and plot charts at the end of each chapter to trace the development of these elements; as well, they may use sticky notes to practice reading strategies such as prediction, questioning, clarifying, and ah-ha! moments. There will be periodic quizzes as an accountability and formative assessment measure, and various activities connected to the story. We will also engage in language study, examining not only new vocabulary, but the author's unique use of language as a characteristic of this society.
Please remind your student that their short stories are due on Friday! I'll be reminding them in class too!
Homework: Short stories due Friday!
Monday: Finish reading ch. 1 & 2; fill in charts
Tuesday: Finish reading ch. 3, 4, 5; fill in charts (possible quiz tomorrow)
Wednesday: Work on editing/revising/finalizing short story
Thursday: Finish reading ch. 6 & 7 if needed; fill in charts; STORY DUE TOMORROW!
Friday: Read ch. 8 & 9; fill in charts
Reading support charts
Vocabulary Lists
Class discussion questions
Language Study: Euphemisms
Monday, November 27, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving!
Just a quick update this week. Students continue to draft their short stories in class; this will be the last in-class time they will have to work on them. I've given students an editing sheet to guide them in editing and revision. The final format is up to them, per the instruction sheet; final stories (in whatever format) are due 12/1.
Upon return from Thanksgiving break, we will begin reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. Set in the future, this provocative novel explores themes of equity, loyalty, friendship, and what it means to live in a utopian (or is it dystopian?) community. I encourage students to listen as they read at home if that is helpful to them; they can access the audio online. We will occasionally listen to the audio in class as time allows. As we read, we will engage in language and vocabulary study, including a look at euphemisms and other unique aspects of the author's language;explore character and setting development; and follow the overall structure of the plot. Our discussions of the story will get at the themes of the novel, and in the end we will view video clips of Lois Lowry explaining her inspirations for and writing of the book. There may be occasional short quizzes throughout our reading time, and we will culminate with a final essay and/or creative project.
I wish everyone a peaceful and pleasant Thanksgiving holiday!
Homework:
Work on short stories: finish drafting; use editing sheet (both sides) to edit and revise. Decide on final format and work on this. Final story due Friday, Dec. 1.
Editing Form
Short Story Writing Instructions
Upon return from Thanksgiving break, we will begin reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. Set in the future, this provocative novel explores themes of equity, loyalty, friendship, and what it means to live in a utopian (or is it dystopian?) community. I encourage students to listen as they read at home if that is helpful to them; they can access the audio online. We will occasionally listen to the audio in class as time allows. As we read, we will engage in language and vocabulary study, including a look at euphemisms and other unique aspects of the author's language;explore character and setting development; and follow the overall structure of the plot. Our discussions of the story will get at the themes of the novel, and in the end we will view video clips of Lois Lowry explaining her inspirations for and writing of the book. There may be occasional short quizzes throughout our reading time, and we will culminate with a final essay and/or creative project.
I wish everyone a peaceful and pleasant Thanksgiving holiday!
Homework:
Work on short stories: finish drafting; use editing sheet (both sides) to edit and revise. Decide on final format and work on this. Final story due Friday, Dec. 1.
Editing Form
Short Story Writing Instructions
Monday, November 13, 2017
A Blizzard of Words--Only Words!
Gazing out our windows this morning at a cold grey sky that hints at snow, I'm thankful that inside there is only a flurry of writing. Students are indeed producing a blizzard of words as they finish up pre-writing activities and move on to drafting their stories. They've brainstormed setting details using all five senses; "interviewed" their characters to get acquainted with them; and mapped out their plots in multiple ways. This week they will learn the grammatical rules of dialogue writing and practice using them; finally, they will exercise their descriptive writing skills by practicing "show, don't tell" writing. From creepy dolls to heroes' journeys, I predict that I'm in store for some captivating reading!
The goal is for students to begin drafting stories on or before Friday (a few began today!) Next week will be the last in-class time to work on stories, so they will be drafting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday if needed. If they are done by Wednesday, they can use that class period to peer conference and edit. The final story (in student's choice of format, per instructions) is due by Friday, December 1.
Homework:
Monday: work on station #3 brainstorming (due by Wed.)
Tuesday: finish station #3 brainstorming
Wednesday: finish "Show, Don't Tell" practice
Thursday: finish Dialogue Writing practice
Friday: work on short story draft
The goal is for students to begin drafting stories on or before Friday (a few began today!) Next week will be the last in-class time to work on stories, so they will be drafting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday if needed. If they are done by Wednesday, they can use that class period to peer conference and edit. The final story (in student's choice of format, per instructions) is due by Friday, December 1.
Homework:
Monday: work on station #3 brainstorming (due by Wed.)
Tuesday: finish station #3 brainstorming
Wednesday: finish "Show, Don't Tell" practice
Thursday: finish Dialogue Writing practice
Friday: work on short story draft
Monday, November 6, 2017
Natural Born Writers
Writing fictional stories seems to percolate naturally for most adolescents, which is why it is always productive, beneficial, and FUN! to engage in this process in class. Between today and Thanksgiving break, students will be rotating through five stations to brainstorm for their stories: character, setting, conflict/plot, dialogue writing, and "show don't tell" language. Along the way, they will produce brainstorming on charts, questionnaires, and storyboard templates, as well as through sketches and even paper dolls if they choose. As students are starting in and moving through stations at different rates, the stations will be labeled in Aspen by number; students have their own tracking chart to keep tabs on their progress.
The final story can be produced in a variety of ways. They could simply type up the story, or they could format it as either a chapter or picture book or as a storyboard. If a student is a techno/movie-making whiz, they could produce a film of their story. No matter the format, each student is demonstrating that they have developed the elements of fiction as represented in the brainstorming stations. The completed story in its final form is due by December 1.
HOMEWORK: This is the schedule; however, some students may be working ahead depending on their individual pace.
Monday: work on station #1 brainstorming
Wednesday: station #1 work due tomorrow
Thursday: work on station #2 brainstorming; due on Monday 11/13.
Character Brainstorming
Setting Chart
Conflict/Plot Organizers
The final story can be produced in a variety of ways. They could simply type up the story, or they could format it as either a chapter or picture book or as a storyboard. If a student is a techno/movie-making whiz, they could produce a film of their story. No matter the format, each student is demonstrating that they have developed the elements of fiction as represented in the brainstorming stations. The completed story in its final form is due by December 1.
HOMEWORK: This is the schedule; however, some students may be working ahead depending on their individual pace.
Monday: work on station #1 brainstorming
Wednesday: station #1 work due tomorrow
Thursday: work on station #2 brainstorming; due on Monday 11/13.
Character Brainstorming
Setting Chart
Conflict/Plot Organizers
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